‘Below the Lion Rock’ Concert Bridges Chongqing, Hong Kong

Chongqing - On October 22, the concert "Below the Lion Rock" took place at the Chongqing Grand Theatre, featuring renowned Hong Kong Opera House Artistic Director and international tenor Warren Mok, alongside soprano Wang Bingbing, Zhong Jiaxin, Lian Haoxin, tenor Chen Yong, baritone Lin Jun, and pianist Zhang Songxin. The performance showcased a diverse repertoire of classic Chinese and Western songs and popular hits from Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, bringing a fusion of cultures to the stage.

Enoch Yuen, the Director of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Chengdu, addressed the significance of the event, saying, "This year marks the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, and we are honored to invite the Hong Kong Opera House to Chongqing to present an excellent performance for this significant occasion and celebrate together."

He continued, "Chongqing is the largest city in the country, with the highest population. Known for its unique geographical environment and prosperous modern urban landscape, it is indeed a world-famous 'mountainous city.' The mountains of Hong Kong and Chongqing resonate with each other, symbolizing not only geographical coordinates but also the spirit of the people from both regions, embodying resilience, a willingness to climb, and deep openness and inclusiveness."

Yuen mentioned, "In May of last year, Hong Kong and Chongqing established a new cooperation mechanism, marking a new level of economic and cultural exchange and friendship. Under this new framework, we will work together to promote high-quality national development, advancing comprehensive cooperation in 11 sectors and achieving mutual benefits through complementary advantages. This initiative will further enhance our connection, fostering more cultural and artistic exchanges that showcase our unique charms."

As the representative office of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in Western China, Yuen highlighted the ongoing commitment to support cultural collaboration. "Our Chengdu Office and Chongqing Liaison Office will back more Hong Kong art groups and artists in coming to the mainland for performances, exhibitions, or other activities. Through these events, we aim to showcase Hong Kong's cultural and artistic talents while providing opportunities for professionals from both regions to learn from each other and collaborate. This allows the public to experience Hong Kong's vibrant art culture and latest developments."

He added, "Conversely, we welcome cultural and artistic projects from Chongqing and Sichuan to enter Hong Kong more frequently. By leveraging Hong Kong's rich international networks and platforms, we can showcase the essence of Bashu culture together, telling a compelling story of China. Hong Kong will continue to promote cultural and artistic development, effectively as a cultural liaison to actively contribute to fostering connections and understanding between different regions."

Warren Mok also emphasized the importance of nurturing young talent, encouraging artists from both regions to engage more actively in cultural exchanges. He noted that such interactions can foster greater understanding and appreciation of each other's cultures, helping to build a more connected future.

The concert drew a lively audience, including many Chongqing residents eager to experience Hong Kong's cultural richness. One attendee enthusiastically said, "Hong Kong's cultural activities are diverse and vibrant, especially in pop music and film. I heard about this concert and couldn't miss it. I hope there will be more performances like this in the future to promote cultural exchange between our cities.”